Forgetting Sarah Marshall-much funnier than ads would lead you to believe

* * * * (out of 5)

Judd Apatow gets mucho credit with me in all endeavors. If he writes it, directs it or produces it I will always see them and reserve judgment until later. Oddly, the commercials for his movies always give me the impression that the film will be lame. The problem always is, the best parts can never be shown on television. His R-Rated comedies are made realistically for adults and thus earn their R ratings. Forgetting Sarah Marshall is no exception. Sometimes hApatow knocks it out of the park, ala 40 Year Old Virgin and the TV show Freaks and Geeks. Sometimes it lacks a little something like Knocked Up and Walk Hard.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is better than Knocked, but not as good as 40 Year. Still it's a fun night for any couple. Despite being told from the guy's point of view, this is definitely not a guy movie. All the characters are well drawn and everyone has their moment to shine. Written and starring Freaks veteran and Apatow protege Jason Segel, this is the story of a nice guy musician who's happily in love with his TV star girlfriend until she unsuspectingly breaks up with him at the beginning of the movie. As he just comes out of the shower, the moment happens while he's naked. It is supposed to be a funny metaphor for how he feels, but after the initial shock and giggles the scene is less funny than uncomfortable. Uncomfortable, embarrassing moments are an Apatow hallmark, but I find them less enjoyable than straight on comedy.

The movie and laughs pick up big time when Segel's character Peter takes a much needed vacation to Hawaii, only to find that he's staying in the same hotel as his ex-girlfriend. Anyone who's been to Hawaii knows what a tonic the place and people can be for whatever ails you and among the tonics that Peter finds is the girl from the concierge desk, Rachel Jansen, played by That '70s Shows beauty Mila Kunis. There is a wounded charm in her eyes and voice that makes her instantly appealing to Peter and to the movie as a whole. I haven't seen That '70s Show in years, but I remember not liking her character, but for the last 8 years she has been the voice of Family Guy's daughter Meg, who is always put down for her looks and personality. Perhaps that voiceover work helped make her a more sympathetic performer. Whatever it works.

Segel was one of six favorites for me from Freaks and Geeks and although I don't watch it, is supposed to be good on How I Met Your Mother. Here he plays a very recognizable ordinary guy, who can morph into a pathetic loser if he is allowed. Fortunately, those around him don't let that happen. One great scene is so telling. A big teddy bear of a Hawaiian named Kemo asks him to help prepare the pig for the luau, but Peter doesn't know that includes killing the pig. He's forced to stab the pig all the while screaming, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." When he cries for like the 10th time in the movie, this time for the pig you can't help but crack up laughing.

His ex-girlfriend is played by Veronica Mars herself, Kristen Bell. Another show I've never watched, but that I hear good things about. As Sarah, we could be forced to hate her and see her as a lying, backstabbing bitch, but there are way more layers to her and you can see why Peter was so gaga over her and then so heartbroken.

This all sounds so serious, where are the laughs Fred? They're everywhere. The movie is filled with them and always within the context of the story which is my favorite way. In some ways Segel is the least funny person in the movie, he is upstaged constantly by Kunu the surfing teacher, Kemo the buffet server, Dwayne the bartender and Matthew the waiter. But the best is the supposed villain of the movie, Aldous Snow, the lead singer of British rock band, Infant Sorrow, and Sarah's new boyfriend. At first he seems clueless, but then you realize he's way more aware than he lets on. It's like Peter lost his girlfriend to a young Mick Jagger.

The clips of Sarah's CSI type show are very funny, but not as good as the clip that shows after the credits start to roll. And don't miss the final song, a classic inside joke that only I laughed at. Prince and Sinead O'Connor's touching breakup song Nothing Compares To You, sung in Hawaiian, by Daniel Ho, no relation to Don Ho.


The Freditor